TFP Bureau, New Delhi; June 30, 2024: Smt. Sumita Dawra, Secretary of the Ministry of Labour & Employment, chaired a comprehensive review meeting to assess the achievements of the Labour Welfare Scheme (LWS) benefiting Beedi, Cine, and Non-Coal Mine Workers. The scheme, overseen by 18 Labour Welfare Organisation (LWO) regions under the Directorate General of Labour Welfare, aims to improve the quality of life for workers and their families.
The meeting highlighted significant milestones in healthcare and education provisions under the LWS. Across 10 hospitals and 279 dispensaries nationwide, healthcare services have been extended to cover critical illnesses, with reimbursements and subsistence allowances amounting to ₹8.50 crore in FY 2023-24. Over 1.8 million workers and dependents benefited from these health initiatives.
Regarding education, financial assistance through the National Scholarship Portal supported 96,051 children of Beedi, Cine, and Non-Coal Mine Workers in pursuing education from primary to professional levels. The total expenditure for educational support reached ₹30.68 crore during the same fiscal year, disbursed through the Direct Benefit Transfer-Adhaar Payment Bridge (DBT-APB) method.
Secretary Dawra commended these achievements and stressed the ongoing need for collaborative efforts to enhance the welfare of these workers. She emphasized the importance of expanding social security coverage, including schemes like PMJJBY, PMSBY, and AB-PMJAY, and encouraged closer coordination between central and state governments to strengthen the social security framework.
The ministry is actively working to integrate all workers into the E-Shram portal, facilitating access to various social security schemes and ensuring comprehensive monitoring through the Unique Account Number (UAN) mechanism. This initiative aims to create a robust database to assess and enhance coverage under both central and state welfare schemes, further improving the ease of living and working conditions for these essential workers.
